LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Lackland enlisted personnel attended the Enlisted Heritage Summit held at the Gateway Center on May 30. The event featured several distinguished speakers who shared insights on their enlisted history and contributions.
The summit's first speaker, Chief Master Sgt. (retired) John Everett, described his three-decade Air Force career.
Chief Everett's service included bombing runs over Germany, highly classified B-29 operations over Korea and 143 C-124 and C-130 missions in Vietnam.
His Second World War experiences as a flight engineer and gunner aboard a B-24 were a key part of his speech, describing his capture by German forces and eventual escape and internment in Switzerland.
Chief Everett also occupies a unique position in Air Force history, having survived the categories of missing-in-action, POW, escapee, evader and internee.
For Master Sgt. Jeremy Belair, Chief. Everett was a highly effective presenter.
"He was a very good speaker," Sergeant Belair said. "We listened to accounts of what he went through, what he thinks of the Air Force and what he thinks the Air Force should be."
The day's proceedings paused while attendees viewed the basic military training graduation parade.
The second speaker was Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley. Chief McKinley addressed numerous issues he observed as personal advisor to the chief of staff and the secretary of the Air Force since his appointment on June 30, 2006.
Audience members also expressed questions during the proceedings about policies, duties and concerns facing the enlisted corps. These issues included potential changes to the Air Force retirement plan, proposed modifications to the Airman Battle Uniform and the Air Force's growing mission in the Global War on Terrorism.
Chief McKinley subsequently emphasized the Air Force's prominent historical role among the armed forces.
"We don't have to take a backseat to any service," he explained. "We've got a huge amount of heritage."
The role of sergeants in strengthening morale and leadership among enlisted personnel was also part of his address.
"They've got that fire in their stomachs after leaving basic training," Chief McKinley said. "As leaders it's our job to keep that fire going."
As the concluding speaker, Chief Master Sgt. Malcom McVicar Jr. conducted a working lunch with Enlisted Heritage Summit participants. Chief McVicar subsequently addressed the listeners at the Gateway Center. As director of the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Institute since October 2004, he is involved in its operations, planning and policy formation and implementation.
Chief McVicar is also currently the principal advisor to Air Force senior leaders on enlisted heritage and history.
His extensive service included assignments throughout the United States, in Korea and nearly four years in a classified location.
The summit and its presenters reinforced the importance of preserving enlisted personnel's contributions to Air Force history and traditions.